Prince Harry Opens Up About the One Place He Feels Most at Home

Prince Harry spent three weeks in Malawi last summer helping move a throng of animals—including elephants, zebras, and warthogs—hundreds of miles to a national park. In an interview for Town & Country's February issue, the prince discussed the enormous work required in this endeavor—and opened up about his first visit to Africa, which came just after the death of his mother, Princess Diana.

"I first came in 1997, straight after my mum died," he told T&C. "My dad told my brother and me to pack our bags—we were going to Africa to get away from it all."

Prince Harry helps out the African Parks team.

Alexei Hay

The purpose of Harry's summer 2016 trip to Africa was to help a conservation group called African Parks and a company called Conservation Solutions capture thousands of animals and move them from overcrowded areas to one where they are safe and can thrive. The prince lent both his actual muscle and the strength of his celebrity to the effort.

"I completely fell in love with African Parks because they get things done. They make tough decisions and they stick to principles," he said. "I don't go on safari, I come so I can surround myself with people [working in conservation] and support them."

Prince Harry poses with African Park members in Malawi.

Alexei Hay

Although Harry was introduced to African Parks in 2015, Africa has for many years been a special place for him—a place where he toldT&C he feels relaxed and normal.

"This is where I feel more like myself than anywhere else in the world. I wish I could spend more time in Africa. I have this intense sense of complete relaxation and normality here. To not get recognized, to lose myself in the bush with what I would call the most down-to-earth people on the planet, people [dedicated to conservation] with no ulterior motives, no agendas, who would sacrifice everything for the betterment of nature… I talk to them about their jobs, about what they do. And I learn so much."

The 32-year-old royal, whose made headlines recently for his relationship with American actress Meghan Markle, is committed to the wildlife cause. Inspired by the Stevie Wonder phrase "you need teamwork to create dream work," Harry hopes his actions will create a ripple effect and inspire others to action, because the longevity of the animals worries him.

"I do worry. I think everyone should worry," he said. "We need to look after them, because otherwise our children will not have a chance to see what we have seen. This is God's test: If we can't save some animals in a wilderness area, what else can't we do?"

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